An Evans City Borough study of the Evans City-Seven Fields Regional Police Department determined the organization’s charter agreement was “unworkable.”

According to the November 2022 report, provided by Chief Joe McCombs, the department’s commission “has been at a stalemate for months due to disagreements about staffing, training and operation of the department.”

“The Commission is unable to make decisions because of the even number of members from the municipalities and disagreements about how the Department should be operated,” the study read.

The report would seem to be in agreement with a recent study released by Seven Fields Borough on the state of the department.

Completed as part of Evans City’s Strategic Management Planning Program, the study was conducted by Ronald Leindecker, a police consultant for Grass Root Solutions.

“Leindecker has over 32 years of experience in law enforcement serving as a patrolman, sergeant, and Chief of Police for New Sewickley Township,” the study stated. “He has a master’s degree in Administration of Justice from Point Park University and is an adjunct professor in the police management curriculum at the Community College of Allegheny (County).”

In the study’s review of the charter, it determined there was no system for commission representatives — three from each borough — to resolve a tied vote.

“A fair, mutually beneficial provision should be inserted for deciding tie votes,” the study read.

Additionally, it addressed shortcomings in the group’s administrative operations, including determining a budget on schedule, annual reporting and pension contributions.

“Act 600 requires contributions to the pension fund of 5% — currently there are no contributions being made to the police pension fund for officers,” the report stated.

It also acknowledged the group’s infrequent meetings and lack of adherence to the charter’s five-day notice required for rescheduling.

“This is in the fairness to all Commission members — we have observed that the 5-day notice provision is not always adhered to,” it read.

The study also addressed a stipulation mentioned in Seven Fields’ study that requires the service of at least one officer from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. in the borough.

“This seems unreasonable and arbitrary — the officers should be where the Chief determines them to be most effective and most available to answer calls,” the report read.

According to the report, the charter requires that notice be given by Dec. 31 if the municipalities would like to withdraw at the end of the agreement — Dec. 31, 2025.

“The Commission is currently crippled and unable to take action in an effective manner,” the study read. “The Chief is not afforded the authority to actually run the department as he sees fit.”

According to the charter, McCombs should be responsible for overseeing all personnel, contracted services and administrative services in the department.

“Unless the Charter is completely reworked and new agreements developed, it makes sense to prepare for and begin the process for dissolution,” the study read.

Like Seven Fields’ study, the Evans City report recommended coverage by state police for the borough.

“The least expensive way for this to happen is to have the Boroughs disband the regional department and use the state police for their future policing needs,” it read. “Neither of the boroughs has the population or economic base to support a fully paid police department.”

Alternatively, it also suggested Evans City seek a new regional agreement with a neighboring municipality.

“This is complex because it could trigger an unfair labor practice if the boroughs disband the regional department and enter into contracts that would shift the bargaining unit work to another entity,” the report read.

In this instance, according to the study, the police commission would enter “effect bargaining” with the union to ensure officers join another department or have long-term severance agreements.

“The purpose of ‘effects bargaining’ is for the union to discuss with the employer how the impacts of the disbandment affects the employees and how those impacts can be ameliorated,” the study read.

While the study acknowledged that retaining the department was possible, it outlined an involved process to repair the “outdated charter” and bring the department “up to professional standards.”

“Most of the current disputes center around the way the department is administered and the control of operations,” it stated. “The Chief should have control of the operating activities and report to the Commission.”

For administrative services, a role currently held by Seven Fields township manager Tom Smith, it recommended contracting for independent services.

“The administrative services should not be tied to either community — it should be entirely independent and report to the Chief of Police,” the study stated. “This would resolve much of the dysfunction in the current department leadership and operations.”

In addition, it recommended updating policy and procedure, officer training, equipment, staffing procedures and seeking formal accreditation.

The study also addressed a need for direct involvement by department’s chief in both boroughs.

“The police chief should schedule monthly meetings with both mayors from the boroughs to discuss the needs of each community relative to enhancing police services,” it read.

In addition to recommending the chief attend council meetings and provide written reports for both boroughs, it also charged the position with pursuing contracts with neighboring communities, thus increasing funding.

“But no other department will be interested in contracting for police services with EC/SF Regional without significant investment to improve the quality of the department including equipment, training, and policies and procedures,” the report stated.

McCombs offered no further comment outside of sharing the study.

“In addition, there must be substantial changes to the Charter that better define the roles and responsibilities of the Commission, the Chief of Police, and administrative services,” the study concluded.